The Political Realm: Journal of Undergraduate Research in Political Science and International Relations
Abstract
The article evaluates three major counterterrorism tools—surveillance, torture, and drone warfare—through the lens of Just War Theory, arguing that each raises distinct ethical and strategic dilemmas. It concludes that surveillance can be morally permissible when tightly regulated, torture is indefensible both legally and morally, and drone strikes are conditionally ethical only under strict oversight that minimizes civilian harm and ensures accountability. Overall, the paper contends that effective counterterrorism is possible without abandoning human rights, but only when transparency, proportionality, and legal constraints guide state action.
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Recommended Citation
Tracy, Charles
(2026)
"Can Counterterrorism Be Taken Too Far?,"
The Political Realm: Journal of Undergraduate Research in Political Science and International Relations: Vol. 35, Article 4.
Available at:
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/political-realm/vol35/iss1/4